After her son Jeremy was diagnosed with autism, Yoss Cumbicos couldn't find help that was useful. "I felt completely lost," she says. "I spent hours searching for information, creating my own visual supports, and trying to find resources that were actually helpful and affordable." A lot of what she found was either too generic or too expensive, so she made visual supports and other simple tools for Jeremy to get through the day.
How the community started
Other families were stuck in the same place, so she started sharing what she had made, and the Autism Resources & Support community grew. "Parents needed practical tools, not just information."
She makes emergency binders, communication cards, daily routines, and visual schedules that help kids communicate and feel secure, and that help parents stay organized. Those files are free on purpose. "Many of these resources can be expensive, so I wanted to make them available for free."
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What families download
There are versions built around Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Monster Jam, mermaids, and more, because she themes the binders around what a child already loves. That turns a document meant for stressful moments into something a child finds familiar.
One mom in the group shared that her son was starting kindergarten camp before his teacher would have access to his IEP. She filled out one of Yoss's emergency binders and sent it ahead so the teacher could get to know him, kept a laminated copy in his backpack, and made another for the car in case of an emergency.
Where to get the resources
Yoss says, "The messages that stay with me are from parents who tell me they finally feel less alone. One mom told me she had been overwhelmed after her child's diagnosis, and that my free resources gave her a place to start." For parents who are just starting out, she says progress looks different for every child and small victories matter, and she tells them to ask for help, celebrate the little milestones, and stop comparing their child to anyone else. "Every child deserves to be seen for who they are, not for what they can't do."
"Jeremy motivates me. Every milestone he reaches reminds me why I started. If something I create helps even one family feel more prepared, less overwhelmed, or more hopeful, then it's worth every hour I spend making these resources." You can find Yoss's resources in the Autism Resources & Support community, where parents can request PDFs and find support from others going through the same thing. If siblings or classmates need a simple explanation of autism, start with 18 Autism Facts for Kids.
Find schools and therapy providers for your child
Tell us your child's needs and location, and we'll match you with special-needs schools, ABA therapy centers, or speech-therapy providers in your area. Free for families.
